It’s Official: Donald Sterling No Longer Owns the Clippers

The sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has officially closed, according to a statement released by the NBA. The transaction was made complete after a California court confirmed the authority of Shelly Sterling, wife of disgraced ex-Clippers owner Donald Sterling, to sell.

The NBA’s board of governors had already approved the move, a move Donald Sterling tried to block in court. The league forced the Sterlings to sell the team after a tape in which Donald Sterling made racist comments was leaked to the media. Sterling is heard on the tape telling girlfriend V. Stiviano not to bring black people to Clippers games.

Important note: Donald Sterling can continue to fight the NBA/his wife in court, but $ damages would be his only reward. Team sale is final.

Ballmer paid $2 billion for the right to buy the Clippers, the most ever for an NBA franchise. The finality of the sale takes away the threat of a boycott by Clippers players and coach Doc Rivers, who had expressed concern about being part of an organization still owned by Sterling.